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CONGRESSMAN JOSEPH CROWLEY ON INDIA
Congressman Crowley has been a staunch supporter and committed friend of India and the Indian-American community in the 7th Congressional District. As a member of the influential Committee on International Relations, Congressman Crowley has actively pursued legislation and diplomatic initiatives to promote stability, peace, and prosperity throughout the South Asian region.
During the 108th Congress, Congressman Crowley was the Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, which he turned into the largest country caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Congressman Crowley represents the second-largest South Asian community in the United States. In his eighth year representing Jackson Heights, NY, Congressman Crowley represents the interests of over 55,000 South Asians in the United States House of Representatives.
Former Democratic Chair, Caucus on India and India Americans
- Once Congressman Crowley was elected as the Democratic Chair of the Caucus on India and India Americans in January 2003, he increased the number of caucus members by 70, bringing the total to 193 members.
Congressman Crowley has led three delegations to India, and has visited India a total of four times
- Congressman Crowley has brought 13 Members of Congress to India for their first time, including the second-highest ranking Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives, Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer.
- Congressman Crowley led the largest-ever Congressional delegation to India (10 Members).
- Congressman Crowley has visited India four times as a Member of Congress.
Congressman Crowley held two Indian-American Policy Days
- Guest speakers included speakers from the Department of Commerce, Department of State, United States Trade Representative, Lockheed Martin, Embassy of India, and the Congressional Research Service.
- Congressman Crowley invited members of the Indian-American community to attend the Policy Day.
Funds for Emergency Preparedness and Response
- In the Fiscal Year 2002 Foreign Operations Bill, Congressman Crowley secured $10 million from the International Disaster Assistance fund administered by the U.S. Agency for International Development.
- The funds would be used to help countries of South Asia, including India, develop an indigenous capability to prepare for and respond to natural disasters such as earthquakes, cyclones and droughts.
Assistance for Gujarat Earthquake and Support for Recovery
- Following the devastating earthquake in Gujarat in January 2001, Congressman Crowley met with Indian-American community leaders in Queens and lobbied in Congress for emergency U.S. assistance to help disaster relief efforts.
- Congressman Crowley was a co-sponsor of two House Concurrent Resolutions, 15 and 151, both expressing sympathy for the victims of the devastating Gujarat earthquake.
- H. Con. Res. 15 and H. Con. Res. 151 urged the President to use U.S. influence with multilateral organizations such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank to expedite disaster relief and economic assistance to help rebuilt Gujarat.
- Congressman Crowley was a co-sponsor of legislation authorizing $468,500,000 in emergency disaster assistance for earthquake recovery in India and El Salvador.
- Congressman Crowley also participated in a hearing held by the Middle East and South Asian Subcommittee of the Committee on International Relations regarding the U.S. response to the Gujarat earthquake.
Supporting the Exchange of Civilian Nuclear Cooperation between India and the United States
- Congressman Crowley is an outspoken supporter of the nuclear cooperation deal.
- Congressman Crowley helped pass H.R. 5682, the United States and India Nuclear Cooperation Promotion Act of 2006, in the House of Representatives by a vote of 359-68.
Supporting Democracy in India
- Congressman Crowley coauthored a resolution congratulating the Republic of India on conducting its recent democratic national elections.
Fostering Trade between India and the United States
- Congressman Crowley has led a Congressional sign-on letter with Rep. McDermott to former Indian PM Vajpayee to support Air India's desire to buy Boeing aircraft. Air India decided to buy 18 Boeing 737-800s, bringing more jobs to America and creating a critical opportunity for an American company to export to India.
- Met with CEOs of Indian companies to encourage them to open businesses in the United States to create jobs for American workers.
Increasing Defense Ties
- Congressman Crowley is leading a letter supporting the U.S. sale of the PAC-3 system to India.
- Congressman Crowley is a leading voice in supporting the sale of advanced U.S. multi-role fighter aircraft to India.
- Congressman Crowley is working with the Administration to grant India non-NATO ally status, which will foster the transfer of weapons, intelligence and technology between our two countries.
- Congressman Crowley has been working with U.S. defense contractors to develop greater ties between U.S. companies and India.
Honoring Congressman Dalip Singh Saund and Indian Americans
- Congressman Crowley successfully worked with the California delegation to honor Congressman Saund, the first Indian-American Member of Congress, by naming a U.S. Post Office after him.
- Cosponsor of H.CON.RES.352-Recognizing the contributions of people of Indian origin to the United States and the benefits of working together with India towards promoting peace, prosperity, and freedom among all countries of the world, which passed the House of Representatives on May 15, 2004.
- Congressman Crowley spoke out in strong support of the resolution during debate on the floor of House.
- As a cosponsor of this legislation, Congressman Crowley worked with Rep. Millender-McDonald's office to increase the number of cosponsors through the Caucus on India and Indian Americans.
Celebrating Diwali
- Congressman Crowley and Congressman Pallone authored a letter to John E. Potter, Postmaster General and Dr. Virginia H. Noelke, Chairperson of the Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee urging them to create a stamp in honor of Diwali.
- Congressman Crowley introduced H.RES.58, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a postage stamp should be issued in commemoration of Diwali, a festival celebrated by people of Indian origin.
Helping Indian-American Small Businesses
- Congressman Crowley has been working with Indian-American groups to help provide access for Indian American-owned businesses to have an equal opportunity in the federal contracting marketplace.
Preventing Hate Crimes
- Congressman Crowley has been a consistent co-sponsor of the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act (Hate Crimes legislation) to enforce tougher penalties for hate crimes. Republicans in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate refuse to pass this legislation.
- The Caucus on India and Indian Americans, led by Congressman Crowley, held a hate crimes briefing in July 2003 to educate staff on the rise of hate crimes against South Asians since 9/11.
- Congressman Crowley worked with SMART on a hate crimes forum held in the New York 7th Congressional district.
Religious Freedom
- Congressman Joseph Crowley urged the French government to protect religious freedoms in schools, citing unfair treatment of Sikhs.
- Congressman Crowley joined Representatives Michael M. Honda and Vernon J. Ehlers on the letter.
- Congressman Crowley worked with the offices of Representatives Michael M. Honda and Vernon J. Ehlers to increase the number of cosigners through the Caucus on India and Indian Americans.
Fighting to fund the AIDS/HIV pandemic in India
- Congressman Crowley is working with the House Committee on Appropriations to include strong report language on the need to assist India's potential HIV/AIDS problems while the situation remains controllable.
- Congressman Crowley was a cosponsor of H.R. 4191, the International Pediatric HIV/AIDS Network Act of 2004, which would provide for the establishment of a network of pediatric centers in India and other developing countries to provide treatment and care for children with HIV/AIDS.
- Congressman Crowley was a key sponsor of the $15 billion Global HIV/AIDS bill signed into law by President Bush. Congressman Crowley is fighting to ensure that India receives critical funding to stem the rate of HIV/AIDS infection on the Sub-Continent.
Keeping in Touch with the Community
- To show his continuing support for the Indian-American community in Queens and his attention to the Gujarat earthquake recovery efforts, Congressman Crowley had lunch with and participated in a walking tour with the Jackson Heights Merchants Association.
- Congressman Crowley attended the Indian American Friendship Council (IAFC) Annual Gala Banquet Dinner in Washington, D.C.
- The Congressman joined other Members of Congress, diplomats, and prominent IAFC members in congratulating the IAFC and members of the Indian-American community from all over the country for their work on issues affecting the community.
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